Posting pictures and documenting what has happened over the last month is overdue. I said that I would document so here it goes!
The decision to leave Utah and move across the country to Virginia, happened rather quickly. It started with an idea presented by my oldest sister in March, when she was in Utah for my brother Jacob's wedding. I considered the idea but was unsure of whether it was right or if I really wanted to go for it. I have wanted to move out of state for a while but I was considering other options like Tucson, AZ at the time.
As the month of March came to a close, I chose to think more seriously about moving to the DC area and moving in with my sister and her family. I decided that I would think and pray about moving to Virginia during the entire month of April and then come to a decision by the end of the month. It started as a fun idea for an opportunity to live somewhere new and gain some additional experience and ended in a very spiritually charged decision. I decided by the end of the month that I was going to take the risk and set out across the country. I had two weeks to prepare, finish things up at work, and drive across the country.
My good friend Heidi Jameson, helped motivate me to be brave enough to follow through with my decision. She has been such a good friend over the years and I miss her a lot. We went through our EMPA program together and worked for the same department and team for a majority of the time while we were in school. My boss was on vacation when I officially gave my two week notice at work. I felt like I was giving up a lot when I found out that I had over 420 hours of sick leave saved up that is just going to disappear within a year! Also, it's a little freaky to say goodbye to what I felt I had worked for over the last 7 years. I had a good, stable job and I felt like I made a difference in the lives of the people I worked with. I cried every day for two weeks! mostly because I was scared out of my mind to leave my security blanket and take a leap of faith in to the unknown!!! Thankfully I have many loving and supportive family members and friends, who helped me to be brave every step of they way. Most of all, I felt that Heavenly Father comforted me and gave me the strength when I needed it most.
Everyone at work was extremely supportive (minus one manager, who to this day I have to make a concerted effort to forgive and give him the benefit of the doubt). I came to feel that I was not only choosing to take this leap for myself, but for all of the people that I work with and who believe in me. I am so thankful to have so many wonderful people in my life that have encouraged and taught me along the way. I left a great team and will miss the people I worked with greatly.
I had an amazing conversation with my boss Kathy prior to leaving. She and I have a lot of things in common. We both love healthy cooking and eating, reading, and trying to implement new team building ideas. She was very supportive of my decision to move and try something new. She also complimented me on my strengths and encouraged me to remember the good skills that I have to offer.
I wish I would have taken more pictures of people from work, but I at least have one of Steve. He was my managers manager. He left the same week that I did to start another position, so I took a few pictures when we went out to lunch.
I took pictures of what we ate and not of the people I was with :( ugh still learning. This is Dave's Reuben
This is my Veggie Burger
This is what Heidi, Kathy, Kevin, and Steve had. The house favorite, a mouth-watering pulled pork sandwich. They all said it was delicious!
My team also gave me a card and a going away gift bag, which included ear plugs, an atlas, hand lotion, hot packs, chap stick, a mini princess etch a sketch, a word search, an eye mask (for sleeping when the sun is out), a neck rest for the drive, and a few other funny items.
It was hard to say goodbye to the people I care about, but I did it! And hopefully I will see them when I come home to visit.
Next post: Saying goodbye to friends and roommates
